Medical tests at the weekend reportedly showed that Lionel Messi's problematic hamstring has completely healed as he remains on course to return next month.

The 26-year-old has been out of action since the middle of November after tearing his left hamstring in Barcelona's league match against Real Betis.

The Argentine forward has stepped up the intensity in recent weeks and will now enter the final phase of his recovery after scans revealed that the muscle has healed completely, according to reports in Spain.

The four-time Ballon d'Or winner, who has scored 14 times this season despite struggling with a series of injuries, is expected to return to first-team action at the beginning of January.